2004 Pepperwood Grove, California, Syrah ($6.71 delivered from Pops). This runs $8.99 in New Hampshire Package Stores. Alcohol level 13.5%. Popped the first one tonight with the last of our last batch of pulled pork BBQ.

We are really going to enjoy the rest of this box this summer. Almost opaque to the eye, it gives you a blast of peppery fruit on the nose and upfront. Amazing spicy complexity across the palate, and a more than decent finish.

When we ordered this, Pops indicated it was out of stock, yet it arrived three days later. It is a great deal if they still have some.

Probably drank a little too much yesterday as moi was one hurting dude. On Saturday I joined a couple of daughters and friends (17 men, women, children not counting the three dogs!) on a hike up Red Hill in Center Harbor, NH. The "hill" is really a small mountain. The trail is a steep, very rocky 1.7 mile (each way) affair. Wore good sturdy hiking boots, but still beat the you know what out the footsys, particularly coming down. Could hardly move when getting back to the house. Got into the whirlpool right away, but still hurt in the morning; so I tried the internal alcohol treatment. Feel much better today.

Passed my VA physical exam today with flying colors including a detailed lab report. On the way home we went by an interesting looking farm stand and picked up some just picked corn and very small zucchini (most unusual for this time of year). That changed our plans for cous-cous with cubed lamb in it. We had already thawed a package of lamb cutlets than we were going to cube, so we grilled them over charcoal with the last of our first package of mesquite chips from a new purveyor.* With the squash and corn, and a half bottle of the Syrah, everything is cool now.

* Bought two bags of mesquite, along with bags of oak, hickory, and peach. The first bag of mesquite had chunks more suitable for gas than charcoal, and second one was fine. Had a lot of trouble with the first bag, practically put the fire out and such. Will try for a refund on the next order.

Ah...sorry for the late post on this one. I helped point a friend to buy a few cases in NH at $9 for one and the second was free...ie. $4.50 a bottle. Not sure if that was an instore special. I had told him to go and get it even at $9 a bottle but he found it for $9/2 btls.

As ww would say, "found an orphan last night." It was still altogether and enjoyable with lamb steak in mint/lemon mayo, nuked zucchini, and baguette. Wonderful for a Monday night, or for that matter any night!